A cancer diagnosis is among the most complex issues faced by employees and employers alike. Employers that are equipped with a better understanding of the cancer experience can facilitate early intervention to achieve the best possible health outcomes and provide a caring experience for employees. This guide is designed to help benefits leaders organize, coordinate and provide the best possible experience for employees and family members with cancer, given what is a difficult diagnosis.

Faced with a rapid increase in the number of caregivers in the workplace, Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) and AARP has produced Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employers. The Guide, the human resources industry’s first publication of its kind, contains a series of tools, resources, and guidance to help employers of all sizes create workplace policies to help support employees who are family caregivers. The Guide is the latest in a series of collaborative workplace caregiving initiatives between NEBGH and AARP.

Employers can better manage the health and cost burdens of musculoskeletal disorders by implementing prevention strategies such as ergonomics training and movement-friendly workplace design, providing onsite physical therapy for those with acute or chronic pain, and paying for surgery with bundled pricing, says a new report from Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH). The report, “Preventing and Treating Musculoskeletal Disorders: New Strategies for Employers,” says workplace-generated musculoskeletal disorders are increasing because of technology, open workplace design and remote workforces, and that as a result, prevention can enhance workplace health and productivity, and an organization’s bottom line.

Caregiving ranks among the top ten employee health and wellness benefits priorities for most employers, says a new survey by Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) in collaboration with AARP. NEBGH surveyed benefits managers from 129 mostly large U.S. employers to measure current workplace attitudes toward caregiving and provide employers with a way of assessing their organizations when it comes to being “caregiving friendly.”

Digital diabetes management is an ongoing consideration for employers’ general diabetes management strategy. However, implementing a program to effectively realize the its full value can be a struggle. This study describes the experience of Mount Sinai and Iron Mountain implementing Livongo for Diabetes, addressing challenges such as targeted communication, developing a business case and maintaining engagement. Find out how you can apply these learnings to a digital health strategy in your workplace!

Employers need to be aware of the potential pay-offs for offering benefits and services that make caregiving an easier burden for employees to bear, says a new report from Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH). This report, “The Caregiving Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for Employers”, says that maximizing productivity, reducing future employee healthcare costs, and competing and retaining talent are among the reasons employers should consider specific policies and services designed to help employees who are providing care to loved ones. Challenges to better supporting these employees include resistance to being labeled as a “caregiver,” the absence of best practices for employers and the need for buy-in from executive management.

NEBGH’s report is based on interviews with cancer experts and employer benefits professionals, and a May 2016 workshop attended by 48 stakeholders – employer benefits professionals, oncology experts, care providers and health plan executives. It notes that healthcare in general in the U.S. is moving from a primarily volume-based, fee-for-service system to one in which value is central, and as a result, the cancer care landscape is also undergoing significant changes ranging from new options for better navigation and coordination of care, and more personalized and precision-based treatments, to new payment models like bundles and total cost of care.

Overweight and obesity result in high costs for employers and significant health risks for employees. Traditional wellness programs are important, but do not go far enough for employees struggling with more than a few excess pounds. This report includes first-hand case studies from benefits professionals and opinions from experts in communications, psychology and medicine, about the best approaches for successful weight control interventions. NEBGH presents a framework that will help you stratify your population and provide appropriate access to benefits and services including new digital technologies, medically-supervised weight loss, pharmacotherapy, and surgery.

Employers play a role in the cancer care ecosystem. This report demystifies cancer care quality and documents how it is being defined. Find employer resources for building a top quality employer cancer care program and see how you measure up to other NEBGH employers by examining survey results about cancer care benefits, programs and policies.